Focus should be on future

Published 8:00 pm, Sunday, September 12, 2004

It is maddening that our Vietnam veterans did not know this gratitude when they returned home. And it saddens me that it took so many years for that fact - and for their service - to be recognized. Regardless of your opinion about the Vietnam war, that is something we all should be able to agree on. And it is a piece of our history we are obligated to ensure is never repeated in this country - never.

For too long we didnt talk about Vietnam. It was pushed into the shadows. By no means do I believe that was right. It wasnt, it only magnified the damage already done. But now I find myself wondering why all I seem to hear about is what John Kerry and George W. Bush did or didnt do to serve or not to serve their country during that time, instead of what they will or will not do to serve their country over the next four years as president of the United States.

We know John Kerry served in Vietnam. And we know George W. Bush served in the National Guard. But it seems like all Im hearing on television, on the radio, in ads, is about how Kerry was a hero or a fake and how Bush served honorably in the Guard or failed to even show. I hear it over and over and over again. And I find myself wondering when and if we will ever get on with the business of this day.

At first all of the attention paid to the service records of Kerry and Bush was somewhat interesting. Then it became confusing and redundant as this truth group and that truth group sprang up. I thought, I hoped it was a phase of sorts, but now its gotten ugly and out of control. I couldnt keep track of the accusations flying around if I wanted to, and believe me, I dont.

I understand why the issues arose. Its all about politics and getting elected. John Kerry was trying to prove he could be commander in chief. As a decorated Vietnam veteran, he has credentials Bush doesnt. I get what he and his advisers were trying to accomplish, but make something a focal point of your campaign and expect it to be attacked. As for the attacks on Bushs service record, he is a sitting president. Discrediting him in a way that only magnifies the selling point of the other candidate is the order of the day.

We could go round and round about both of their records, but in the end, Kerry served in Vietnam. Bush served in the National Guard. I think we should be grateful to them both for their service - and talk about something else. Maybe we could talk about something that might affect me, my family, or my community. I mean no disrespect, but I really dont want to hear another thing about service records, medals, or which candidate did what in 1960-whatever. Im interested in 2004, 2005, 2006 …

Both President Bush and Sen. Kerry say they want my vote. Well, then, they need to start telling me what they plan to do for this country and how theyre going to do it. As for the media, I dont care what Bush thinks about Kerrys service or if Kerry thinks Bush served, but will somebody please ask them what they are going to do about the rising cost of health insurance!?!

I know we need to learn from the past to chart out a smoother course for the future. But if all we do is focus on the past, how can we plan for that better and brighter future we all want? We cant.

Tell me how were going to create jobs that actually will enable families not only to eat, but to buy a home and even put some money away for the kids college or a rainy day. Baby Boomers arent getting any younger, yet no one truly wants to tackle Social Security and Medicare. So we should wait until they go broke and our deficit is so large theres no fixing anything? And what about that deficit? When are we going to quit spending money we dont have and evaluate how were using our resources?

You want to be president? How do you plan to keep me safe without completely crushing any notion of privacy or civil rights we have in this country? How are my friends parents going to pay for their medications? How will I ever be able to afford to send kids to college? Will you take a stand on trade, to make it fair, so my neighbors can still have jobs and our local economy isnt destroyed? How are you going to ensure tomorrows children get a better education than todays? And by the way, can you do something about this dependency on foreign oil because Im only 32, and Im already tired of hearing about it, so I bet others are, too.

I dont expect our president to have all the answers. That is impossible. And I cant begin to know what a tough job being president is, although I know its a job I wouldnt want. But I do expect my president to address important issues, issues that matter to regular folks like me. And I expect more than rhetoric, catchy campaign slogans and empty promises. I dont think Im expecting too much. I just hope that between now and Nov. 2 the men running for the highest office in the land will at least attempt to meet those expectations.

Kelly L. Niebel is editor of the Huron Daily Tribune. You can reach her at (989) 269-6461, kniebel@hearstnp.com or at 211 N. Heisterman, Bad Axe, MI 48413.